Energy
December 21, 2017
Odessa Stinks! (Literally.)
In recent months the West Texas oil town has smelled, in one resident’s words, like ”a dog’s anal gland.” And no one is 100 percent sure why.
Energy
Reporting and commentary on the Texas energy industry and innovations shaping its future
Energy
December 21, 2017
Odessa Stinks! (Literally.)
In recent months the West Texas oil town has smelled, in one resident’s words, like “a dog’s anal gland.” And no one is 100 percent sure why.
Energy
December 21, 2017
Gas Prices Are at Their Lowest Since Harvey
Just in time for Christmas.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
December 16, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Houston Pushes Aside Cushing in Oil Trading Ranking
Plus: Texas installs quite a few solar panels, CenterPoint Energy has a gas outage in Northeast Texas, and pipeline companies worry about their tax break.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Energy Transfer Partners Files Lawsuit Against Greenpeace
The Dallas-based company, which owns a major stake in the Dakota Access pipeline, is seeking $1 billion in damages.
Energy
December 15, 2017
Texas Mayors Pledge to Fight Climate Change
Part of the Climate Mayors organization, the leaders are striving to meet goals stated in the Paris Agreement.
Energy
December 14, 2017
West Texas Property Sales Don’t Always Include the Wind Rights
As wind energy takes a central role in the Texas grid, ”wind rights” are the new mineral rights.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
December 9, 2017
How the Tax Bills Could Affect Energy Companies
Oil and gas companies get a pass-through provision from Cornyn; wind energy companies may have a harder road ahead.
Energy
December 8, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Politicians Push Trump to Reduce Ethanol Mandate
Rick Perry returns from Saudi Arabia, Sen. Cornyn slips a little something nice for big oil into the tax bill, and Exxon opens its first gas stations in Mexico.
Energy
December 8, 2017
Transportation Overtakes Electricity As Top Polluting Sector
Transportation edged out electricity as the biggest source of carbon emissions last year in the United States.
Energy
December 8, 2017
Why Offshore Oil Workers Should Reflect on December 10
The date is the anniversary of an important court ruling for oil industry employees.
Energy
December 2, 2017
Wind Power Capacity Has Surpassed Coal in Texas
Scientists at UT predict that by 2019, the state will get more energy from wind than coal.
Energy
December 1, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Strongest Evidence Yet Links Wastewater Injection to Texas Quakes
Plus: Wind power soars past coal in Texas, T. Boone Pickens puts his giant ranch up for sale, and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson is on his last legs as Secretary of State.
Energy
November 30, 2017
A New Study Offers Further Proof That North Texas Earthquakes Are Drilling- and Fracking-Related
The fault lines had been inactive for 300 million years before fracking started.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
November 28, 2017
Coal Belt to Sun Belt?
Texas has a golden opportunity for clean energy: reusing coal-mining land for utility-scale solar.
Energy
November 22, 2017
So Much Natural Gas—But Where to Put It?
There are not enough pipelines to take away the natural gas being produced in the Permian Basin.
Energy
November 22, 2017
Debating the Permian Basin
Experts discuss Permania and the oil field’s future at the University of Houston.
Energy
November 21, 2017
West Texas: The Future of Texas Energy Resilience
Investments in transmission lines from wind-producing regions bring options, savings, and reliability to consumers.
Energy
November 20, 2017
Houston Museum of Natural Science Opens High-Tech New Energy Hall
One of the museum’s most popular attractions is back and bigger than ever.
Energy
November 17, 2017
U.S. House Tax Bill Bad for Wind Energy
Renewable projects fare better under the Senate’s tax reform measure.
Energy
November 17, 2017
Texas a Testbed for Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technology
CCS has the potential to play an important role in reducing the carbon emissions from power generation.
Energy
November 17, 2017
Fracking Disproportionately Affects Communities of Color in Texas, Study Shows
The authors call for increased mandatory distance between disposal wells and water sources and for local community members to be more vocal in decisions regarding wastewater.
Energy
November 15, 2017
Important Offshore Safety Measure May Be Lost in Zeal to Repeal Regulations
Operators need to monitor data from their wells in real time in order to prevent the next Deepwater Horizon, experts say.
Energy
November 11, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Oil Companies Hire 30,000 Workers Over Past Year
Plus: Rick Perry makes a fossil fuel gaffe, a $100 million West Texas solar project goes on hold, and Exxon starts looking into green energy.
Energy
November 10, 2017
Lackluster Confirmation Hearing for Climate-Change Skeptic
The former head of the TCEQ did not impress senators in Washington on Wednesday with her grasp of science.
Energy
November 9, 2017
Can Engineers Convert Heat from Pavements into Clean Energy?
A recent grant can help the UTSA team improve their thermal energy-harvesting system.
Energy
November 4, 2017
This Week In Texas Energy: Two Coal Plants to Shutter
Also: A lawmaker celebrates a proposal to end subsidies for electric cars, batteries in West Texas, and fracking’s impact on air quality.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
November 2, 2017
Energy Secretary Rick Perry Says Fossil Fuels Could Reduce Sexual Assault in Africa
His comments come after a recent visit to South Africa.
Energy
November 2, 2017
A California Experiment Could Shape Texas Electricity Rates
Making TOU rates a reality for residential customers in Texas could help solve challenges facing the electric grid.
Energy
November 1, 2017
Gasoline Price Gouging Was Rampant During Harvey
More than one hundred gas stations in Texas face fines.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
November 1, 2017
The Oil Boom’s Roots in East Texas Cotton Farming
Oil’s rise was as dependent on the old as much as the new. The industry also benefited from changes in agriculture.
Energy
October 25, 2017
Texas Has a New Way to Measure Seismic Activity Amid an Epidemic of Oil Field–Linked Quakes
The University of Texas-Austin claims the most advanced state-run earthquake monitoring system in the nation.
Energy
October 23, 2017
Al Gore Addressed the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Alliance Conference
The former vice president spoke in Georgetown about climate change and renewables.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
October 23, 2017
UT Geologists Extract Potential Natural Gas Source From the Ocean Floor
Methane hydrate, the compound recovered by the scientists, could provide power to future generations.
Energy
October 21, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: With Shale Gas Exports, U.S. Moves Forward on Energy Independence
Plus: Irving-based Fluor to turn the lights back on in Puerto Rico and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos christens a wind farm.
Energy
October 20, 2017
Big Oil Meets Folk Art at Eclectic Menagerie Park
The freewheeling sculpture garden Eclectic Menagerie is the most Houston museum in the Bayou City.
Energy
October 19, 2017
Vistra Closes Three Coal Plants in Texas
It seems unlikely that Perry’s coal subsidy could have saved them, according to an expert at UT.
Energy
October 17, 2017
The Battle Between Small-Town Churches and Sharyland
Moving electricity through West Texas comes at a steep price.
Energy
October 14, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Trump Nominates a New Environmental Leader
Also: Battle over ethanol moves into Mexico, Vistra Energy announces two more plant closures, and Rick Perry faces a tough crowd.
Energy
October 13, 2017
The First Negative-Emission Carbon-Capture Plant in the World Is In Iceland
As Secretary Perry increases funding for carbon-capture research, let’s look at what that means.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
October 12, 2017
The Kurdish Vote for Independence: What It Means for Texas Energy
The future of the region is uncertain—but Texas-based companies are holding on to assets there.
Energy
October 11, 2017
Why Trump’s Latest Travel Ban May Be Bad for Oil Companies
Recruiting new talent may become more challenging at a time when oil and gas companies need it most.
Energy
October 7, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Perry Pushes Coal
Also: Occidental’s Harvey losses hit $70 million, Texas exports to India, and Valero renews its golf sponsorship.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
October 7, 2017
How Trump’s Tax Proposal Could Affect Oil and Gas
The plan keeps a deduction for intangible drilling costs and lowers the corporate tax rate, but the future of other exemptions is uncertain. Renewables like wind and solar appear less advantaged under the new plan.
Energy
October 3, 2017
Lamar Smith Claims It’s “Likely” Russia Bought Anti-Fracking Ads on Facebook
The San Antonio Republican is focused on this one issue in his inquiry on Russian interference with domestic business.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Energy
October 2, 2017
Exxon Loses Top Spot in Annual Oil Giant Power Rankings
The Irving-based company fell all the way from first to ninth.
Energy
September 30, 2017
A New Approach to Wastewater Could Vaporize It Right Out of Existence
SeaChange Technologies wants to release O&G wastewater into the atmosphere.
Energy
September 29, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Questions Remain About Railroad Commission Executive Director’s Resignation
Plus: a Texas energy conman was also involved in California’s real estate market, an Eagle Ford Shale dispute is settled, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas gets a new appointee.
Energy
September 27, 2017
An Oilman From East Texas Has Been Kidnapped in Yemen
Danny Burch was taken by armed men ”in broad daylight.”
Energy
September 27, 2017
Earthquakes Return to North Texas
And more could be on their way, especially if drilling activity in the Barnett Shale region grows.